LENZERHEIDE, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 13: (FRANCE OUT) Julia Mancuso of the USA competes during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Finals Women's Super-G on March 13, 2014 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (Photo by ... more

Photo: Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom, Getty Images

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Julia Mancuso earned the bronze medal in the combined at last month's Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Julia Mancuso earned the bronze medal in the combined at last month's Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Photo: Christophe Ena, Associated Press

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Julia Mancuso's four Olympic medals in alpine skiing - one in Turin, two in Vancouver, one in Sochi - are more than any other American woman has won.

Julia Mancuso's four Olympic medals in alpine skiing - one in Turin, two in Vancouver, one in Sochi - are more than any other American woman has won.

Photo: Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom, Getty Images

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United States' Julia Mancuso skis out the first run of the women's giant slalom at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

United States' Julia Mancuso skis out the first run of the women's giant slalom at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Photo: Christophe Ena, Associated Press

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LENZERHEIDE, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 13: (FRANCE OUT) Olympic bronze medallist Julia Mancuso of the USA during a photo shoot with the US Ski Team Olympic alpine ski medalists on March 13, 2014 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images) less

LENZERHEIDE, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 13: (FRANCE OUT) Olympic bronze medallist Julia Mancuso of the USA during a photo shoot with the US Ski Team Olympic alpine ski medalists on March 13, 2014 in Lenzerheide, ... more

United States' Julia Mancuso celebrates her bronze medal in the women's supercombined as she stands on the podium during a flower ceremony at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer) less

United States' Julia Mancuso celebrates her bronze medal in the women's supercombined as she stands on the podium during a flower ceremony at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya ... more

Photo: Gero Breloer, Associated Press

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LENZERHEIDE, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 13: (FRANCE OUT) Olympic bronze medallist Julia Mancuso of the USA during a photo shoot with the US Ski Team Olympic alpine ski medalists on March 13, 2014 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images) less

LENZERHEIDE, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 13: (FRANCE OUT) Olympic bronze medallist Julia Mancuso of the USA during a photo shoot with the US Ski Team Olympic alpine ski medalists on March 13, 2014 in Lenzerheide, ... more

Photo: Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom, Getty Images

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Olympic medalists set for U.S. Nationals in Squaw Valley

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The queen of American ski racing is bringing her tiara back home.

Julia Mancuso, who has won more Olympic medals than any other female skier in U.S. history, will lead a contingent of American Olympians and up-and-comers into this week's U.S. National Alpine Championships at Squaw Valley.

And though she grabbed only a slightly disappointing bronze medal in the combined event at the recently concluded Sochi Winter Games - giving her four Olympic medals in her career - the typically upbeat Squaw Valley native isn't hanging her head.

"I had higher hopes for sure," Mancuso said last week via e-mail from the World Cup Finals in Switzerland. "But to win any color Olympic medal is amazing. I am very proud of that, especially after having a tough time this year in the World Cup (tour). Every experience has a purpose, and I had a great time learning and the Olympics were a lot of fun."

"Fun" seems to be an operative word for Mancuso, who has been known to wear a plastic tiara under her racing helmet and on post-race podiums. And she doesn't hold back on the pleasure she takes in hanging out with racers who haven't yet matched her lofty standards.

"It's awesome to race (in the U.S. National Championships). I love getting to ski with all the kids and upcoming champions," said Mancuso, who turned 30 on March 9.

She takes particular delight in racing on the hill where she grew up and where last year she won her record 16th U.S. title, beating Sochi Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin by 0.88 of a second in the giant slalom.

"It's cool to bring ski racing into the valley; everyone is so stoked to have us," she said. "It's great to race on my home mountain and it's awesome to have Squaw's support for ski racing. They did an exceptional job last season, so I definitely look forward to some more great races on home snow."

More by Dan Giesin

The Nationals begin Wednesday and the surface could be home slush. With temperatures in the Lake Tahoe area reaching the mid-60s Sunday, the already thin snowpack is taking a severe beating. Acknowledging a lack of snow, the men's and women's super-G events have been scratched.

Those responsible for making sure the course conditions are good are confident the races - women's giant slalom Thursday, men's GS Friday and men's and women's slalom Saturday - will not be affected.

"We're doing everything we can," said Todd Kelly, Squaw Valley's ski-team program director. "We've hardened the snow with chemicals (salt); we've taken steps not to groom (the race arena on the Red Dog run) and we're not letting skiers on it. We're taking this very seriously."

Calum Clark, an official with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, which oversees and sanctions the event, agreed with Kelly's assessment.

"Squaw Valley is an amazing race venue with an enormous amount of ... expertise," Clark said in a statement. "While we're disappointed that weather has impacted the scheduled super G, we're confident that Squaw Valley can produce a high level of organization to provide a great U.S. Championship."

Which is no surprise to Mancuso.

"Everyone is so stoked to have us," she said, "and they go all out."

Much like Julia Mancuso.

Briefly: Shiffrin, who became the youngest-ever (18) Olympic slalom gold medalist at Sochi, and Ted Ligety, the Sochi Olympic giant-slalom gold medalist who has won seven straight U.S. National slalom titles, are expected to compete. So is native son Travis Ganong, who was fifth in the Sochi downhill and won the super G last year at Squaw Valley. ... In honor of the many Olympic competitors from the Reno/Tahoe area - which includes ski- and snowboardcross racers, freestyle skiers, snowboard and ski-halfpipe competitors and slopestyle athletes - there will be a "Welcome Home" celebration Friday evening, featuring an athlete parade and autograph session, live music and fireworks.

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